Miriam and Jerome Katzin, UCSD philanthropists who established numerous gifts of support to the university and recognized it as one of the city's most important assets, have died 12 days apart. Miriam died on June 2; Jerome passed away on June 14.

For three decades, Miriam and Jerome Katzin ranked among UCSD’s most steadfast benefactors, their philanthropy marked by endowments to establish The Katzin Prize Endowment Fund to support graduate students; the Katzin Research Laboratories at the Moores Cancer Center; the Katzin Chair in Jewish Civilization; the courtyard at Muir College; the Chair in Corporate Governance at the Rady School of Management; and support of the Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center and other faculty chairs and funds. They were highly involved with the local Jewish community and gave to many causes in the region.

In recognition of their support, they received the prestigious Chancellor’s Medal during the campus’ 50th anniversary celebration in 2010. Conceived in 2000, the medal has been given to a select few whose contributions have supported promising students and furthered meaningful research, community leaders who have helped the campus and local communities grow and individuals who have inspired the community and enhanced the quality of life for San Diegans.

The Katzins moved from New York to La Jolla in 1973. They grew up in Chicago and graduated in 1939 from the University of Chicago, where Jerome received his law degree in 1941. Miriam earned a master’s degree in education from Chicago Teachers College and advanced training at Bank Street College in New York.

Jerome was a partner/managing director of Kuhn Loeb in New York City and then Lehman Brothers, where he was one of the nation’s leading experts in financing public works. As longtime financial advisor to the National Rural Utilities cooperative, he was instrumental in bringing electricity to rural America. He served on more than 20 corporate boards of directors, including Qualcomm from 1987 to 2005 and the Price Company from its early days through its merger into Costco. He also served on the Rady School of Management dean’s advisory council and was instrumental in advancing the UC San Diego Foundation, serving on the board of trustees, which he chaired in 1992 and 1993.

In 2010, Jerome was commemorated for attending his 300th UC San Diego Foundation meeting over the last three decades, a record that has not yet been broken.

Miriam worked for ten years in Great Neck, N.Y., as a remedial reading teacher and, upon moving to La Jolla, instituted and administered a similar program at Torrey Pines Elementary School.

The Katzins are survived by their children, David, Daniel and Diane Katzin, and two grandchildren, Erica Katzin and Katrina Kurnit.

The family suggests that donations be made in Miriam and Jerome Katzin’s name to the Seacrest Foundation, 211 Saxony Road, Encinitas CA 92024.